History Museums

Updated 10:56 am, Monday, June 20, 2011

Sneaking a Kiss, December 1944, a photo from MOHAI Seattle P-I collection in the World War II exhibit at the Museum of History in December 2006. (Gilbert W. Arias / Seattle P-I)

Sneaking a Kiss, December 1944, a photo from MOHAI Seattle P-I collection in the World War II exhibit at the Museum of History in December 2006. (Gilbert W. Arias / Seattle P-I)

History Museums

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The Northwest African American Museum in South Seattle's old Colman School Building (2300 S. Massachusetts St.) traces the history of African-Americans in the Northwest, from those whose journey to the area started on a slave ship, to the Somali, Sudanese and Ethiopian populations that have made their way to the region more recently as refugees. The museum is located at 2300 South Massachusetts Street.

Hours: Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 11-7; Saturday, 11-4; Sunday noon-4. $6, $4 students and seniors, free for under 6 and the first Thursday and second Thursday of the month; 206-518-6000; naamnw.org

The best place to get a sense of Seattle's past is at the Museum of History and Industry. MOHAI makes regional history lively, compelling, personal and entertaining through stories, artifacts and images. The museum is located at 2700 24th Avenue East.

The Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard is a place where history, art and community converge. It is the only museum in the U.S. to honor the legacy of immigrants from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The museum's five ethnic galleries, one for each Nordic country, illustrate the differences and bonds linking Scandinavians in the Pacific Northwest.

The museum is at 3014 N.W. 67th St. (the entrance to the parking lot is off 68th). Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed Monday. Admission: $6, $5 seniors/college students, $4 students K-12, free for under 5. 206-789-5707; nordicmuseum.org

At the University of Washington, visit the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, off the campus entrance at 45th Street Northeast and 17th Avenue Northeast.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, "Pacific Voices" and "Life and Times of Washington State," the Burke Museum hosts a full schedule of changing exhibits throughout the year.

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a one-room museum in Pioneer Square that moved from 117 S. Main St. to 319 Second Ave. S. It's filled with historical information about the gold rush, which started in 1897. Park rangers demonstrate gold-panning techniques and show movies about Seattle's role in the gold rush. Free. 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 206-220-4240; www.nps.gov/klse

For an homage to Seattle's diverse neighborhoods, visit History House in Fremont. Videos offer a historical look at the city, as well as snippets from on-air TV pioneers, such as clown J.P. Patches and kids-show host Stan Boreson. 790 N. 34th St. $1 or donation. Thursday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 206-675-8875; historyhouse.org

The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Located in the International District, this museum, the only one of its kind in the country, encompasses a hotel where generations of immigrants spent their first nights in the United States. The museum is located at 719 South King Street. Open Tues. through Sun. from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Open until 8 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month. Admission: $12.95, $9.95 for students, $8.95 for youth aged 5-12. Children under 5 free. Free admission on the first and third Thursday of the month. 719 South King Street; 206-623-5124; wingluke.org.